Apparatus for conditioning, cleaning, and circulating cooling liquids



y 1951 H. w. HAPMAN 2,559,614

APPARATUS FOR counmoumc, cuummc, AND CIRCULATING COOLING LIQUIDS 7Shoots-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 12, 1944 attorneys y 1951 H. w. HAPMANAPPARATUS FOR counrrroumc, cmmmc,

AND CIRCULATING COOLING LIQUIDS Filed Oct 12, 1944 'T Sheets-Sheet 2attorneys July 10, 1951 H. w. HAPMAN APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING.CLEANING.

AND CIRCULATING COOLING LIQUIDS 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 12, 1944attorneys July 10,' 1951 H. w. HAPMAN 2,559,614

' APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING, CLEANING,

AND cmcuwrmc coouuc uqums 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 12, 1944 SnnenlorW W ffi y/ ez Clttomegs H. W. HAPMAN APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING,

July 10, 1951 2,559,614

, CLEANING,

AND CIRCULATING COOLING LIQUIDS Filed Oct. 12, 1944 7 Shoots Sheet 5 1 ll t l l l l ll July 10, 1951 H. w. HAPMAN 2,559,614 APPARATUS FORCONDITIONING, CLEANING, AND CIRCULATING COOLING LIQUIDS T Shuts-Sheet 6Filed Oct. 12. 1944 f /c W EM 119% nnu NH 98 hu .5 Na 5 fi wk nun 3N 3 E.U Q 1 w a I I 5K OWN f flh g QWEIIIQIJ 5 I a T v v n dua Qu lmuu, bunRu) 2 mum E 5 A 113 m 1 m iw mww. mulllt flow. Hu mku a Q I! a PatentedJuly 10, 1951 APPARATUS FOR CONDITIONING, CLEAN- ING, AND CIRCULATINGCOOLING LIQUIDS Henry W. Hapman, Detroit, Mich., assignmof forty percent to Hannah J. Hapman, Detroit,

Mich.

Application October 12, 1944, Serial No. 558,424

3 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in coolant tanks, and moreparticularly, to a sludge removing and filtering apparatus therefor.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a coolant and sludgetank in which the coolant liquid is circulated therethrough in such amanner as to be freed from foreign particles and to provide means forremoving said particles and filtering the coolant liquid to purify thesame for recirculation to the source of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coolant tank and sludgeremover which is provided with a filter element capable of being readilyremoved for the purpose of cleaning, repair and reconditioning so as torestore the filter element to its initial cleanliness at variousintervals during the use of the coolant tank.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined coolant tankand filter assembly in which the coolant liquid is circulated throughthe coolant tank so that the heavier particles of foreign matter anddirt therein will gravitate to the bottom of the tank where they areremoved by a conveyor type sludge remover and the remaining particleswill be removed by the filtering element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coolant and sludge tankhaving a filtering assembly which is unique in construction, economicalto manufacture and eflicient in operation and embodies a series offiltering elements so arranged as to permit passage of the coolingliquid from the external surfaces of said filtering element internallythereof, whereby foreign matter and particles may be dislodged from saidfiltering element without necessitating dismantling or removal thereoffrom the coolant tank.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coolant and sludge tankhaving a sludge conveyor and a series of filtering elements arranged toswing on a horizontal axis to permit frequent cleaning and inspectionfrom time to time without removing the filtering elements independentlyand to provide means for removing foreign matter and particles from thefiltering elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coolant tank and sludgecollection system for accommodating a large number of machine tools inorder to collect the coolant liquid and sludge therefrom after beingused to cool the machine and work so that said coolant liquid and sludgemay be conveyed to the coolant tank for purification, separation andrecirculation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sludge collection systemfor a series of machine tools in which the coolant liquid is appliedthereto by means of pressure feed from the coolant tank and returned tothe tank by gravity and conveyor means to insure the proper cleaning ofthe circulatory system and the collection and separation of sludge andother foreign matter from the coolant liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coolant tank foraccommodating a large number of machine tools in which the coolantliquid is collected in the tank and filtered before bein returned to thesystem in such a manner as to free the coolant liquid of all impuritiesand foreign matter and convey said foreign matter to a remote pointexternally of the tank for disposal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a system for coolantliquids used or employed for cooling various machine tools and the likein which the means for conveying the liquid and sludge to the coolanttank consists of an endless conveyor trained over sprockets or pulleysand arranged in a conduit in such a manner as to remove all of thesediment and sludge from the conduit and convey the same to the coolanttank.

Another object of the invention is to provide an endless conveyor forthe collection system and coolant tank which is constructed of flightmembers of a suitable shape to conform to the shape of the conduitemployed and which is formed of sectional flight members having aflexible rubber or fiber packing adapted to be attached or ailixed tothe conveyor chain so that the packing will engage the walls of theconduit and remove sludge therefrom without becoming unduly worn ordisintegrated through excessive use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a filter elementparticularly adapted for use in the settling tank of a coolant liquidcirculating system which is constructed of spaced apart frame members towhich is anchored or aflixed the reticulate filter member in such amanner as to increase the filtering capacity of the filter element andinsure the proper cleansing of the coolant liquid and the separation andfiltering of foreign particles therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coolant and sludge tankfor coolant liquids of the above-mentioned character in which thecoolant liquids may be circulated in a direction to remove sediment andforeign matter from the filtering elements and may be forced to themachine tool under pressure in its other direction of circulation,thereby enabling the filtering elements to be cleaned and reconditionedperiodically without necessitating their removal or the cessation ofmachine operation during repair or cleaning thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coolant liquid andsludge tank which is uniquely constructed and is provided with aconveyor conduit or passageway for directing the travel of the sludgeremoval conveyor element to insure the removal of sludge and otherforeign matter from the cooling liquid in a most economical, novel andefilcient manner.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the followingdescription of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure I is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the inventionillustrating in detail the arrangement of the filtering elements and thegeneral assembly of the coolant tank and circulating system therefor;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2-2 in Figure 1looking in the direction of the arrows showing various structuraldetails including the arrangement for permitting the vertical swingingmovement of the filter element to facilitate the cleaning thereof.

Flgure 3 is an end elevational view of the coolant and sludge tankshowing portions thereof broken away to illustrate various details ofconstruction;

Figure 4 is an oblique cross-sectional view taken on the diagonal line4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing themanner in which the sludge removal conveyor is adapted to be driven by asingle sprocket;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of one of the conveyor conduitsillustrating the manner in which the sludge and other foreign matter isremoved from the coolant tank by the endless conveyor;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of theinvention further illustrating the coolant tank with a slightlydifferent arrangement of filtering elements therefor;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of one of the filtering elements showing themodified form of the invention having a portion broken away toillustrate the various details of construction;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7,further showing the filtering element and the manner in which the sameis constructed;

Figure 9 is a. vertical sectional view of another form of filteringelement to be used in connection with the modified form of the inventionshown in Figure 6 where it is desired to employ a filtering element of agreater height to accommodate tanks of great depth;

Figure 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line llll0 ofFigure 9 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating variousdetails of construction of the modified form of filter element shown inFigure 9;

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of a still further modified form ofthe invention illustrating portions thereof broken away to show variousdetails of construction and the arrangement of the sludge removalconveyor;

Figure 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line I2l2 ofFigure 11 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating themanner in which the sludge removal conveyor is guided throughout itscircuitous path;

Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the sludge conveyor employed inall forms of the invention showing a portion of one of the flightsbroken away to illustrate the structural details thereof; v

Figure 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the conveyor showingthe manner in which the flight members are cut away to facilitate thepassage thereof over the drive sprocket;

Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of another modified form of theinvention showing a coolant supply and sludge collection system foraccommodating a plurality of machine tools;

Figure '16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the coolant tank andsludge removal and disposal means employed in the modified form, of theinvention shown in Figure 15 illustrating the manner in which the tankis mounted below the floor level to permit the gravity return of thecoolant liquid from the machine tools;

Figure 17 is a top plan view of one of the sprockets or rollersinterposed in the sludge collecting system for guiding the conveyorthereof about its circuitous pathway;

Figure 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 18-48 ofFigure 17, looking in the direction of the arrows and further showingthe manner in which the sprocket or roller for guiding the conveyor ismounted in the floor of the plant;

Figure '19 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a union connecting themachine discharge of one of the machine tools with the conveyor conduit;

Figure 20 is a top plan view of another modified form of the inventionshowing two or more coolant tanks connected in series with the conveyorarranged to remove sludge therefrom; and

Figure 21 is a top plan view of a still further modified form of theinvention showing a slightly different filter construction andarrangement.

In the drawings, attention is first directed to Figures 1 to 5,inclusive, 13 and 14, wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment ofthe inven tion and wherein the reference character 5 will generally beemployed to designate a coolant tank including side walls 6 and 1connected by end walls 8 and 9. A bottom wall Ill connects the side andend walls 6, 1, 8 and 9 and said bottom wall is formed with a droppedbottom portion having sloping wall portions II. The sloping wallportions i I converge as at [3 in a troughshaped bottom and verticaltrough walls i4 and 15 are provided at each end thereof for connectionwith the partial bottom wall 10. The portion of the bottom wall as at I6is inclined to facilitate the guiding and feeding of material to thecoolant tank when the same is discharged from the machine tool in whichit is used.

Mounted adjacent each end of the coolant tank 5 is a bracket foot memberl1 having a V- shaped cradle portion IB for receiving the trough-shapedbottom'so as to securely support the same upon a suitable floor or othersupporting surface.

Secured to the end wall M of the dropped bottom is a conveyor conduit l9having an inclined portion 20 and a horizontally disposed portion 2|connected by suitable elbow portions 22 and 23. The end of thehorizontal tubular conduit 2| is formed with an elbow portion 24 andterminates in an outwardly flared bell-mouth portion 25 (Figure 1).Similarly, a conveyor conduit 23 is secured to the dropped bottom endwall l5 and said conduit is bent as at 21 to form an elbow portion andextends upwardly at an oblique angle in a relatively spaced portion 28.The upper free end of the relatively spaced portion 28 is outwardlyflared as at 29 and terminates in juxtaposed relation to the outwardlyflared portion 25 of the conveyor conduit 2|.

Secured to the side wall 6 of the coolant tank and mounted adjacent oneend thereof is a bracket arm 36 (Figure 3) having its lower end as at 3|welded or otherwise secured in place, and said bracket arm 36 has itsfree end secured to an angle bracket 32 which forms a support for anelectric motor 33. The electric motor is held in place by suitablemachine screws or the like as at 34. The armature shaft of the motor 33as at 35 is disposed obliquely and has afllxed or keyed thereto asprocket wheel or the like as at 36 (Figure 4). Mounted within thetubular conveyor passageway formed by the conveyor tubes |9, 26, 2|, 26and 28 is an endless sprocket chain composed of a series of chain links31 having one end formed with a bar portion 38 and the opposite endprovided with a hooked portion 39 for receiving said bar portion 38 sothat the space between the chain links 31 will provide a sprocket toothreceiving opening of a slightly larger size than the teeth on thesprocket wheel 36. Alternate chain links 31 are provided with laterallyextending arm portions 40 (Figures 13 and 14) which arm portions may beformed integral with the chain links or may be attached thereto in anysuitable manner. Secured to the laterally extending arm portions 4|! ofthe chain links 31 is a series of conveyor flights generally indicatedby the reference character 4|. Each conveyor flight 6| is formed of apair of pressed metal stampings 42 which are adapted to be securedtogether and to the laterally extending wing portions 43 by rivets orthe like 43 being passed through suitable openings 44 in the laterallyextending wing portions 40 which are aligned with openings 45 in thepressed-metal stampings 42. The peripheral edge of each stamping 42 isflanged as at 46 to provide a space therebetween for receiving a naturalor synthetic rubber insert 41 which is adapted to withstand considerablewear during the handling of abrasive material or particles deposited inthe cooling liquid. In forming the flight members, it has been foundthat rubber scrapers composed of Buna-n, Thiokol or neoprene synthetictypes are preferable since they ofier high resistance to petroleums,oils and abrasions. Each of the conveyor flights 4| is cut away as at 43to form a recess or passageway for permitting the travel of said flightsover the sprocket wheel 36 during their passage thereabout.

Mounted on the free ends of the conveyor conduits 24 and 28 and spacedfrom the flared portions 25 and 29 thereof is a guard plate 43 (Figures3 and 5) to prevent the material being discharged along with the sludgefrom passing downwardly along the outer surface of said flared portions25 and 29. A guard housing 5! is secured to the bracket arm 36 toconceal the sprocket 36 "and conveyor flights as they traverse saidsprocket so as to prevent material adhering thereto from being thrown bycentrifugal action on objects adjacent the coolant tank. It is to benoted that the intermediate portion of the conveyor tube 2| is supportedby an angle bracket 5| secured in place to the side wall 6 of thecoolant tank as by means of welding or the like and, if desired, theconveyor tube 2| may be anchored by welding at the point of contact tosaid angle bracket and thereby form a rigid structure. When it isdesired to adjust the tension of the endless conveyor, or when thesprocket chain 31 becomes worn, the adjusting nuts 52 may be manipulatedso as to permit movement of the angle bracket 32 and motor 33 to a newposition of adjustment for taking up said wear or slack in the conveyorchain.

Coolant liquid from the machine tool is fed to the coolant tank adjacentone end thereof on one side of a vertical partition wall 53 (Figure 2)which extends between the side walls.6 and 1 and has its ends connectedthereto by welding or the like and its lowermost end angularly bent asat 54 to form a small shelf or supporting foot. The partition wall 53thus provides a deposit or collection chamber 55 having a sloping bottomwall |6 which converges toward the partition wall 53 and terminates ashort distance therefrom so as to form a restricted passageway betweenthe collection chamber 55 and the coolant tank including the droppedbottom portion having the converging bottom walls Mounted on the anglebracket 5| is a motor supporting plate 56 which has one end welded tothe angle bracket and its opposite end bent to provide a foot portion 51for being welded or otherwise secured to an angle bracket 58 attached tothe supporting bracket |1 (Figure 3). Mounted on the motor supportingplate 56 is an electric motor 59 which is fastened in place by belts orthe like 6|! and said motor is provided with an armature shaft 6| fordriving a circulating pump 62 (Figure 1). The pump 62 is secured to themotor frame by means of a suitable bracket 63. While a centrifugal pumphas been illustrated in the drawing, it is to be understood that theform of pump may be optional and that any desired type may besuccessfully employed in the circulating system for the coolant tankabout to be described. The inlet 64 of the pump 62 is provided with anelbow fitting 65 and a short length of pipe 66 which extends into andcommunicates with the interior of the coolant tank adjacent the bottomthereof for the purpose oi circulating the liquid directly from thetank. A control valve 61 is interposed in the pipe section 66 to closethe passageway therethrough when it is desired to circulate coolantliquid through a system of filter elements mounted within the tank.

Also secured to the inlet pipe 64 of the rotary pump 62 is a pipefitting 68 to which is connected a manifold pipe 69 which projects intothe coolant tank and extends transversely thereof. The manifold pipe 69terminates adjacent the side wall 1 of the coolant tank and may beaffixed thereto in any suitable manner. Interposed in the manifold pipe69 is a series of equidistantly spaced pipe fittings 10 for receivingshort sections of pipe as at 1| and 12. The short pipe section 1| isconnected by a pipe coupling or the like 13 to an elongated cylindricalfiltering element 14 having end caps 15 and 16 secured to thereticulated screening forming the filtering element 14 (Figure 2). Theshort pipe section 11 may be threaded in the end cap 15 in any suitablefashion with its outer end received in the pipe coupling orunion 13 soas to establish fluid communication between the interior of thefiltering element 14 and the intake of the pump 62. Similarly, a seriesof filtering elements of elongated tubular form as at 18 are mountedabove the series of tubular filtering elements 14 and said filteringelements are provided with end caps 13 and 80, one of which as at 13 isprovided with a. short section of pipe 8| for connection to the shortsection of pipe 12 by means of an elbow joint 62, short pipe section 83and pipe coupling or union N. A control valve 8! is interposed be tweenthe pipe manifold 88 and Pipe fitting-ll (Figure 1), and a control valve86 is secured to the free end of the manifold pipe by means of -asuitable elbow connection and vertical pipe section connectedtherebetween, and is provided with a short pipe section 81 connected toa T-joint ll having a return pipe 8! connected thereto for connectionwith the outlet or exhaust 9. of the rotary pump 62. The T-fitting Cl isprovided with a discharge pipe 9| having a control valve 82 for closingthe passage of liquid therethrough as shown in Figure 1. Also interposedin the return pipe 89 is a key fitting 93 having a short discharge pipe94 in which there is interposed a control valve 95, and afllxed to thefree end of the pipe N is a rubber hose section 88 which is adapted tobe supported within the coolant tank by means of suitable supportingbrackets 91 and 98 secured to the side walls 6 and I respectively of thecoolant tank. Extending between the side walls 6 and l at the oppositeend of the coolant tank is an angle bracket 89, and said angle bracketmay have its ends welded or otherwise secured in place, and may bedisposed to form a support for a filter supporting plate I (Figure 2)which has its upper end flanged as at iii for resting upon the anglebracket 99. The threaded nipples on the other ends of the filteringelements II and I! may pass through suitable openings in the filteringelement supporting plate I00 so that cap nuts I02 may be threadedthereon to securely hold said filtering elements in place. Hook clipsI03 are secured to the filter supporting plate I to additionally supportthe flexible rubber hose 86 adjacent one end of the coolant tank.

A collection receptacle I is: disposed beneath the free ends of theconveyor conduits for collecting the Sludge discharged from the coolanttank by the endless conveyor during the operation thereof. The endlessconveyor may operate in either direction of rotation, but as shown inFigure 5, the conveyor conduit II is shown as forming the dischargepassageway so that sludge 8 may be carried upwardly therein anddischarged from the flared end I! of said conduit whereby said sludgewill fall into the collection chamber I04. The liquid level L of thecoolant liquid is indicated in Figure 5, which permits the use of alarge quantity of coolant liquid with better settling and separationcharacteristics so as to completely remove all foreign particles fromthe coolant liquid before the same is returned to the machine tool uponwhich the liquid is used. The openings 48 in the conveyor flights 4!permit the liquid or coolant material to drain back as shown in Figure 5and remove the sludge S above the liquid level while said cooling liquidis draining therefrom. When the sludge finally reaches the top ordischarge opening 29, the major portion of the liquid contents has beenremoved therefrom so as to prevent the waste of said coolant liquid andeliminate the necessity of replenishing the contents of the tankperiodically.

In operation, the coolant tank shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, IIand I4, when it is desired to circulate and separate foreign matter fromthe coolant liquid employed in a machine tool, is placed adjacent themachine tool with a collection chamber I5 disposed beneath the dischargeof the machine tool so that the coolant liquid therefrom will drain intosaid coolant tank. After the coolant tank has thus been disposedadjacent the machine tool as above de- 8 scribed, the motor 33 lessconveyor to travel at a relatively slow rate of speed so as tocontinuously move sludge and sediment collected along. the bottom of thecoolant tank or along the conveyor path as at II. with the endlessconveyor in operation, the motor I is next operated to cause therotor'within the pump 62 to rotate so as to circulate the coolant liquidthrough the pump.

Normally, the pipe section Si is connected to, the coolant supply jetdisposed adjacent the machine tool so as to spray coolant liquid on thework and material while being operated on and when said pipe section 9|is thus connected, the valve 61 is closed and the valve opened so thatthe coolant liquid in the tank will pass through the filter elements I4and I! and thence through the pipes H and 83 to the manifold pipe 59.The coolant liquid is then conducted to the rotary pump 62 through theshort pipe section 64, and is exhausted through the discharge pipe 89 tothe pipe section 9i. During the operation of the coolant tank in thismanner, the valves 88 and are closed and the valve 92 is opened topermit free passage of the coolant liquid to the spray jet (not shown)of the machine tool.

when it is desired to clean the filter elements 14 and I8 and removeforeign material from the external surfaces thereof, the valve 92 mustbe closed and the valve 85 opened so as to cause the coolant liquid tobe passed through the flexible rubber conduit or pipe it which may bemanually manipulated to present the end thereof to the filtering elementso as to forcibly remove said sediment or foreign matter from theexternal surfaces of the filtering element. The foreign matter orsediment may be washed from the external surfaces of the filteringelement as above described by the use of a rubber flexible hose 9%, or,if desired, the circulation through the filtering element may bereversed by manipulating the control valve so as to connect thedischarge pipe I! with the manifold 89 by simply closing the valves 92,95 and II and opening the valve II. It will be seen that when the valvesare thus controlled, fluid flow from the tank to the pump 62 will bethrough the pipe ll, manifold M, filtering elements M and I8 and thenceback to the pump 62 through the pipe 86, the valve 61 having been openedupon the closing of the valves 85, 52 and 8! and the opening of thevalve 86. The coolant liquid will be circulated in the reverse order soas to remove foreign matter and sediment from between the interstices ofthe fabric or screening of the filtering elements so that said foreignmatter will fall by gravity to the bottom of the coolant tank to becollected and discharged by the endless conveyor travelling therealong.After the filtering elements have been cleansed by means of the flexiblerubber pipe or conduit 96, or by reversing the flow of the coolantliquid through the filtering elements l4 and 18, the control valves 61,88, 92 and 88 may be restored to their initial position to causecirculation of the coolant liquid from the tank, through the filteringelements to the pump, and then through the pipe 88 to the spray nozzleof the machine tool (not shown).

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive,the coolant tank I06 comprises side walls I06 and Ill! connected bysuitable and walls as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, 13 and 14,similarly, the coolant tank is provided with sloping bottom walls Iiiwhich converge and form a trough for the endless conveyor is started tocause the endindicated by the dotted line H3. The endless conveyor isidentical in construction and operation with the pipe shown in Figures 1to 5, 13 and 14 and is adapted to be driven in substantially the samemanner to collect the sludge and other foreign matter in the troughformed by the sloping walls III so as to discharge said material to aremote point externally of the coolant tank.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive,there is provided a coolant liquid circulating system similar to thatshown inFigures 1 to 5, 13 and 14, including a rotary pump adapted to bedriven by an electric motor and arranged with its intake connected to apipe H4 and its exhaust connected to a pipe H which pipes correspond tothe pipes 64 and 89 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive. The intakepipe I I4 is connected to a T-union or joint H8 having a pipe connectionH1 adapted to be connected to the coolant tank I05 in the same manner asthe pipe connection 86 and said pipe connection H1 is provided with asuitable control valve to regulate the flow of coolant liquidtherethrough. Also connected to the T-union H6 is a pipe section H8which has its end fitted in a suitable bushing H9 mounted in the sidewall I86 of the coolant tank and extending through an opening therein soas to seal said pipe section H8 and securely hold the same in place. Theother side of the coolant tank is provided with ashort section of pipeI28 which has one end threaded in an elbow joint and its opposite endthreaded in a sleeve I2. The elbow joint is connected to a vertical pipe(not shown) which has aflixed to the upper end thereof a control valveI22 similar to the control valve 86 in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.Similarly, the projecting end of the pipe H8 is fitted with a threadedsleeve I23 in opposed and aligned relation withthe threaded sleeve I2I.

Mounted between the pipes H8 and I20 is a manifold pipe I24 which hasits ends flanged for engaging the threaded sleeves I2I and I23 and saidflanged ends are adapted to be held in place by gland nuts I26 toprovide swivel connections or couplings at each end of the manifold pipeI24. Interposed in the manifold pipe I24 and spaced equidistantly is aseries of T- unions I21 which have secured thereto short pipe sectionsI28 for being coupled to parallel pipes I29 by suitable pipe couplingsor the like I38. The parallel pipes I29 are connected to elbows I3I atthe ends thereof in which are threaded the ends of the connecting pipeI32.

Interposed in the parallel pipes I29 is a series of T-joints I33 whichhave their lateral coupling boss I35 provided with a short section ofpipe I36 upon which is adapted to be supported a filtering elementgenerally indicated by the reference character I31.

Since all of the filtering elements I31 are the same in construction andarrangement, a description of one will suflice for all and asillustrated in Figures '7 and 8, the filterin element includes a pair ofstar-shaped supporting members I38 and I39 arranged in opposed relationwith the reticulated filtering screen extending therebetween. Thestar-shaped supporting element I39 is provided with an annular flangeI48 which is suitably threaded or otherwise fastened in place on theupper end of the short pipe section I36 so as to be retained in place byalocking nut or the like as at I. The starshaped supporting elements I38and I39 are imbedded in plastic end plates I42 and I43 and the 10reticulated filterin screen I44 has its ends imbedded in the plastic endplates I42 and I43 so as to provide a cylindrical type filtering elementhaving zigza ecourses'l45 between which project the pointed portions ofthe star-shaped supporting plate I38 and I39 as illustrated in Figure 7.A cover cap I46 is affixed to the plastic supporting plate I42 by meansof a bolt I41 which extends through a central opening in the starshapedsupporting plate I38 and said cover cap has its peripheral edge as atI48 return bent over the peripheral edge'of the plastic supporting plateI42. Similarly, a bottom cap I49 is held in place by the anchoring nutHI and has its peripheral edge I58 return bent and extending above theperipheral edge of the plastic supporting plate I43.

The pipe I I5 which is connected to the exhaust fluid pump is providedwith a T-union I5I having a connection I52 with the control valve I22-and a connection I53 with the control valve I54. A pipe fitting orcoupling nipple I55 is connected to the control valve I54 forfacilitating the connection of a flexible pipe or tubing to the spraynozzle of the machine tool being supplied with coolant liquid. Also, thepipe H5 may have connected thereto a flexible rubber hose similar to thehose 96 shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive for cleaning the externalsurfaces of the filtering element I31 and a series of brackets I56 isprovided on the side walls I88 and I81 of the coolant tank forsupporting said flexible hose or tube when not in use. It will thus beseen that the manifold pipe I24 is mounted to swing or swivel betweenthe gland or swivel nuts I26 so that the arallel pipes I29 and filteringelement I31 will be swung vertically on a horizontalv axis so as to bemoved to a point of vantage for being repaired, replaced or cleaned. Thefree ends of the parallel pipes I29 may be supported in a similar mannerto the filtering elements shown in Figures 1 to 5 and the control valveI58 may be interposed in the pipe section H8 to control the flow offluid passing therethrough in substantially the same manner as thecontrol valve 85 in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

The operationof the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 8inclusive is substantially identical with the operation shown in Figures1 to 5 inclusive. That is, the coolant liquid from the machine tool isdischarged into the coolant tank I85 and the sludge therein settling inthe trough or conveyor passageway H3 is collected and discharged by theendless conveyor 31, shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. 13 and 14. Inaddition, the fluid is circulated by the rotary fluid pump so as to drawthe coolant liquid from the tank through the filtering element I31 andthence through the pump to the point of use such as the machine tool asabove described. When it is desired to clean the filterin element I31,the control valves I22, I54 and I58 are manipulated to reverse the flowof coolant fluid through the tank in the same manner as described inconnection with Figures 1 to 5, 13 and 14, so as to force foreign matterand dirt adhering t the external surface of the reticulated filterscreen I44 so as to dislodge said foreign matter and dirt and cause thesame to fall to the bottom of the tank where it is collected anddischarged by the conveyor. Obviously, a large number of filteringelements I31 may be employed for tanks having a greater capacity, and ifdesired, suitable valves may be interposed in the parallel pipes I29 topermit the elimination of certain filtering elements in accordance withthe speed of circulation of the coolant liquid and the condition of thesame when used for cooling the machine tool and work upon which it isoperating. In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 9 and10, a slightly different filtering element is shown and may be employedin lieu of the filtering elements I31 shown and described in Figures 6to 8 inclusive, and as is the case in the description of the filteringelement, I31. a single filtering element has been illustrated in detailin Figures 9 and 10.

In the filtering element shown in Figures 9 and 10, a verticalsupporting pipe IE is provided and 'has its lowermost end I6I threadedfor a portion of its length for being received in a pipe union similarto the T-joint I33 shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive. The upper end ofthe supporting pipe ISO is similarly threaded as at I62 and saidthreaded sections II and I62 are adapted to receive the threaded hubportions I63 and I 64 of star-shaped supportingplates I55 and I99respectively which'are similar in construction to the star-shapedsupporting plates I99 and I 39 shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive. Thereticulated filtering screen I9? is arranged in zigzag-fashion toconform to the shape of the points on the star-shaped supporting platesI65 and IE6, so as to form radially extending walls I10, and the ends ofthe reticulated filtering screen I91 are received and imbedded inplastic end plates Ill and I12 during the forming thereof. Mounted onthe supporting pipe I69 intermediate the ends thereof is a star-shapedsupporting plate I13 which is provided with a collar I'll slidablymounted on said supporting pipe I53 and adjustably held in place by aset screw 5. The indentations in the star-shaped supporting plate I13receive the bent intersecting portions of the radially extending wallsI19 as at I76 so as to add rigidity to the reticulated filtering screenI61 and prevent the flexing and deformation thereof during use. Metalcap members Ill and H8 have their peripheral edges overturned or returnbent as at I19 and I99 to extend over the peripheral edges of theplastic supporting plates Ill and I12 and thereby complete the construction. The end caps Ill and H8 are held in place by nuts HI and I8!threaded on the respective threaded end portions IGI and I62 of thesupporting pipe I69. Also threaded on the threaded portion I60 is a capI93 which is provided with a suitable pet cock I84 to regulate the flowof coolant liquid through the filtering element. The lower portion ofthe supporting pipe IE0 is provided with a series of apertures I95 topermit the passage of coolant liquid therethrough when the filteringelement is connected in a filtering system as described in connectionwith the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 11 and 12, thecoolant tank is slightly different in construction as well as thearrangement of the sludge removal conveyor. As shown in Figures ll and12, the coolant tank generally indicated by the reference character I99comprises a pair of side walls I9I connected at one of their ends by anend wall I92. A pair of sloping bottom walls I93 connect the sidewallsI9I for a portion of their length and said sloping walls converge on acentral trough I94 for receiving and facilitating the collection ofsludge and sediment settling in the bottom of the tank. The slopingbottom walls I93 are bent at their point of convergence as at I95 toform sloping bottom walls arranged on an incline which converge in aninclined trough I96. The inclined sloping walls have their edges weldedor otherwise secured to the side walls I9I of the tank as indicated inFigure 12.

Mounted within the coolant tank I is a conveyor conduit of tubularconstruction having a portion as at I91 extending parallel with thetrough I94 and the remaining portion thereof inclined as at I98 andextending parallel to the trough formed by the point oi. convergence ofthe inclined sloping bottom walls I96. The relatively spaced andhorizontal conveyor conduit portion I9! extends through an opening inthe end wall I92 of the coolant tank I99 and is welded or otherwisesecured thereto to prevent the escape of liquid therebetween, and theend 01 said relatively horizontalconduit portion I91 projects externallyof the coolant tank and is provided with a return bent portion I99 whichhas its end as at 200 received in an opening in the end wall I92directly below the opening through which the relatively straight tubularconduit portion I91 projects. The end 200 of the return bent section I99may be welded or otherwise afflxed in place so as to register with thetrough I94 of the converging sloping bottom walls I93. The upper end oftheinclined tubular conduit portion I98 is provided with a flared mouthportion 2M and secured thereto by means of welding or the like is asupporting plate 202 which is also aflixed to the projecting upper endportion 209 of the trough I96 formed by the inclined converging slopingbottom walls.

A motor supporting bracket 204 is adjustably secured to the coolant tankI90 for supporting an electric motor 205 which has its base adjustablysecured to the supporting plate 204 by means of a slot and boltconnection 296. The armature shaft 201 of the motor 205 is provided witha sprocket wheel 208 over which is trained an endless sprocket chain 299similar to the sprocket chain 31 described in connection with the formof the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5, l3 and 14. Conveyor flights2I0 are mounted on the endless conveyor chain in identically the samemanner as pointed out and described in Figures 1 to 5, 13 and '14, andsaid flights 2H) are constructed of opposed flight discs havinginterposed therebetween rubber wear members 2i I. Each of the conveyorflights 2 I 0 is cutaway in the same manner as described in connectionwith the conveyor flight GI shown in Figures 1 to 5, l3 and 14 andindicated by the reference character 99 therein.

It will thus be seen that the endless conveyor, including the endlesssprocket chain 299 and spaced conveyor flights 2H) will be guidedthrough the conveyor conduit sections I9? and I98 as well as the returnbent portion I99, and in order to cause the lower course of said endlessconveyor to travel in conformity to the troughs I99 and I96 formed bythe sloping bottom walls of the coolant tank, a guide plate 2I2 has itsupper edge welded as at 2I3 to the under side of the tubular conveyorconduit section I91 so as to depend therefrom, with the lower endprovided with a guide strip 2 for being received in the cutaway portionof the conveyor flights ZIB so as to engage the endless conveyor chain I209 and thereby hold the flights in position during their travel alongthe trough I94 formed'by the inclined sloping bottom walls I93. Theguide strip 2i? is provided with an angular portion 2H5 which isinclined upwardly and is welded to the bottom portion of the inclinedconveyor tube section I98, and said inclined portion is provided with aflanged lower edge surface 2I5 continuous. with the flanged portion 2 soas to guide the conveyor flights 2 I during their travel along theinclined trough I96 formed by the inclined sloping bottom walls of thecoolant tank. The upper end 2II of the inclined portion of the guidestrip H5 is welded to the supporting plate 252, as well as being weldedto the upper projecting end portion of the inclined section I98 of theconveyor tube conduit. A collection chamber 2I3 is mounted between theside walls I9I of the coolant tank I90 to extend beneath the dischargeportion 203 of the inclined trough I96, and said receptacle has its sidewalls inclined to permit the same to be positioned well within orbetween the side walls I! of the coolant tank and conform to the slopingtrough I96 of the converging inclined bottom walls of said tank.

It will thus be seen that the coolant tank I99 may be placed under thedischarge of the machine tool so as to collect the cooling liquidtherefrom so that the same will be received in said tank and the heavierforeign particles therein will settle to the trough I94 and be carriedor moved to the endless conveyor flights 2 i 0.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures 11 and 12 issubstantially the same as pointed out in connection with the showing inFigures 1 to 5, 13 and 14, and said coolant tank I90 may also beprovided with a filteringsystem of the type shown in Figures 1 to 5, 13and 14, as well as Figures 6 to inclusive.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 15 to 19inclusive, the coolant tank has been adapted to a system foraccommodating a plurality of machine tools so as to feed cooling liquidthereto and permit the liquid after being used to be discharged into acommon trough or conduit through which is passed an endless conveyor foraiding in conveying the liquid back to the collant tank, as well asremoving sediment therefrom which may become deposited on the walls ofthe conduit or trough. In industrial machine plants and factoriesemploying a large number of machine tools, it is necessary to handle thecooling liquid in such a manner as to service all of the machine toolsso as to save as much of the cooling liquid as possible, and asillustrated in Figure 15, a series of machine tools 225 are arranged inparallel rows spaced a sufllcient distance to permit the operator ofeach' machine tool freedom of movement in the execution of his dutiesand operation of the machine. The machine tools 225 such as lathes,grinders, shapers and other tools for metal, composition and fiber aresupplied with a cooling medium through a feed pipe 223 which isconnected to a manifold pipe 221 having a series of branch pipes 223which extend above the machine tool 225 so that suitable connections mabe had with the branch pipes 235 for directing a jet of cooling liquidover the surface of the work and machine tool during operation. Each ofthe branch pipes 229 is pro vided with a valve fitting 230 to interruptthe flow of cooling liquid to any one of the machine tools 225 which isout of operation for the purpose of repairs or otherwise. The feed pipe225 is connected to a feed line 23I which is connected to the dischargeor exhaust of a rotary fluid pump generally indicated by the referencecharacter 232 and said feed pipe 226 is also provided with an additionalpipe line 233 which may connect with 14 other manifold pipes and branchpipes similar to th manifold and branch pipes 221 and 223 respectively.Suitable valves 234 are interposed in the additional pipe lines 223 tocontrol th flow of liquid therethrough to other systems similar to theone shown.

The coolant liquid tank is generally indicated by the referencecharacter 235 and is mounted below the floor level in a pit 229 formedin the floor 221 of the factory or plant in a location convenient andreadily accessible to the machine tools 225.

The coolant tank 235 includes side walls 238 connected at the ends bysuitable end walls 239 and 249 and the end wall 239 is offset andprovided with a sloping portion 2 to form a coliection chamber having awall 242. The wall 240 likewise is offset by means of a horizontal wallportion 243 which connects with a vertical wall portion 244 as indicatedin Figure 16, and said end wall 244 projects upwardly to form a divisionor baiiie wall 245, and similarly, the baiile wall 245 is mounted at theopposite end of the coolant tank so as to prevent the material beingdischarged therein from being dspersed, and to direct the samedownwardly toward the inclined sloping bottom walls of the tank, therebyforming a trough 241.

And endless conveyor 248 is mounted with respect to the coolant tank 235so that a horizontal course thereof will traverse the trough-shapedbottom wall portion 241 and remove sludge therefrom. The conveyer 248 isconstructed in a manner similar to the forms of the invention shown inFigures 1 to 12 inclusive, and is trained over the drive sprocket 249which is drivingly connected to a suitable motor or other power source.The conveyor 249 may pass along the troughshaped bottom portion 241 ofthe coolant tank and may pass out one end thereof so as to extendlaterally and upwardly, and thence horizontally by means of suitabletubing, terminating at the sprocket wheel 249. Another section ofconveyor tubing may then be passed downwardly at an inclined angle forattachment to the vertical wall 244 of the coolant tank in registry withan opening therein 50 that the endless conveyor and flight will traversethe trough-shaped bottom portion 241 and remove sludge therefrom as wellas other foreign matter and particles.

In order to collect and return the coolant liquid from the machine tools225, a conveyor conduit or trough 250 is imbedded in the floor 23'! andextends between certain rows of machine tools 225 until reaching the endof said row where it is bent to form a straight line portion 25I forconnection with another straight line portion 252 which extends betweenanother pair of rows of machine tools 225 and is finally connected tothe coolant tank 235 by means of a straight-line section 253. Theconveyor conduits or troughs have their straight-line portions 259 and253 connected to the coolant tank 235 by suitable couplings 254 and 255extending through the end wall 242 and side walls 239 respectively, andthe discharge pipe 256 from each machine tool 225 is connected to theconveyor conduit of one of the straight parallel sections 250 and 252 sothat the coolant liquid discharged from the machine tools will flow bygravity to the conveyor conduit 259 or 252. At spaced intervals alongthe parallelconveyor conduits 253 and 252 there is provided a series ofpipe couplings or unions 251 having laterally extending ported bosses258 suitably threaded and machined for receiving the screwthreadedportion 258 of a Y-connection 268 (Figure 19) One of the passages of theY-connection is adapted to be connected to the discharge pipe 258 whilethe other passage extends at right angles to the conveyor conduit 258 or252 to facilitate the cleaning of said conduit at various intervals andthe repair of the conveyor flights carried by the conveyor chains. Theuppermost end of the Y-connection 268 is open and is adapted to beclosed by a screw plug 25l which is readily accessible and easilyremoved for the purpose of gaining access to any of the conveyor partsof the endless conveyor.

The conveyor is generally indicated by the reference character 263 andsaid conveyor compriscs an endless chain 284 having a series of conveyorflights 265 which are constructed in the same manner as the conveyorchain and flight shown in Figures 13 and 14.

A drive sprocket 2380 (Figure 16) is provided or driving the endlessconveyor 283 and is mounted in an-adjustable bearing 285 on a suitableplatform 231 supported by angle bars or brackets 258 extending betweenthe side walls of the coolant tank 238. The adjustable bearing 288 isheld in place by bolts or the like 288 which extend through the slottedopening in said adjustable bearing and have their ends threaded orotherwise secured in'the platform 251. In order to guide the endlessconveyor 253 as it passes from the coolant tank through the bushing 255,a guide pul.ey 218 is supported on a short spindle 211 arranged andsupported by a bracket am 212 secured to one of the side walls 238 ofthe coolant tank 235 so that the groove of the roller 218 will be inalignment with the conveyor passageway 253. The conveyor 283 enters thecoolant tank through the bushing 254 which is tangentially aligned withthe periphery of drive sprocket 255a so that said sprocket may drive theconveyor 263 when power is applied to theshaft 213 thereof by means ofan electric motor or other source of power.

In order to guide the conveyor 283 in such a manner as to negotiate theturn between the parallel portions 258 and 252, guide pulleys 215 arearranged at proper locations so that the conveyor will travel a courseextending between as many pairs of rows of machine tools as may bedesired. The pulley means 215 includes a sector-shaped casing 218(Figures 17 and 18) which is located in a floor recess 211 in the floor238 and sealed therein by suitable packing material covered by arelatively thin layer of concrete or the like 2181;. The pulley housing218 is provided with a removable cover 218 fastened in place by bolts orthe like as at 288, and the floor of the pulley housing 218 is providedwith a bearing boss 281 for receiving the lower end of a shaft 282. Theupper end of the shaft 282 is secured to a bushing 283 aflixed to thecover or top wall 218 by bolts or the like as at 284 and a locking pin285 extends through the shaft 282 and bushing 283 to prevent relativerotation thereof. Mounted on the shaft 282 is a bushing 28? to provide abearing surface for the hub 281 of a sprocket or pulley wheel 288 whichis adapted to drive the conveyor chain 284 and extend into the openingof the conveyor flights (Figs. 17 and 18) in substantially the samemanner as described in connection with the form of the invention shownin Figs. 1 to 5, 13 and 14. Tie straight-line portions of the conveyorconduit are connected to the pa ley housing 218 by complementary flanges288 which are bolted together by suitable circumferentially spacedanchoring bolts 288. The bottom wall of the pulley housing 264 isoperated, preferably at a speed such that the coolant liquid level willnot be elevated during operation. In order to protect the bushing 28.8and shaft 282 against the action of abrasive material, a cover sleeve282 encircles a portion of the shaft 282 and is slidably fitted over areduced portion of the hub 281. It is to be understood that the pulleymeans 215 for guiding the endless conveyor in its circuitous pathway areidentical in construction and so a descriptiqu of one as painted out inFigures 17 and 18 will suffice for a The intake of the feed pump 232 isprovided with a pair of branch pipes 283 and 284 (Figure 16) which areconnected to different portions of the coolant tank 235 and mayalternately be used by operation of the control valves 285 and 288respectively. The intake pipe 283 is connected to a pipe fitting orprojection 281 in the end wall 248, and similarly, the intake pipe 284may be connected to the lowermost portion of the tank by a similarfitting or connection secured to the wall 244 of said tank.

It is to be noted that the pipe unions 251 are mounted in the floor 238of the industrial plant or factory in a manner similar to the pulleyhousing 218 and as shown in Figure 19, they are located in recesses ordepressions 288 which are filled with packing material 288 and coveredwith a relatively thin layer of concrete or other plastic material as at330. This arrangement and construction permits easy access to each pipeunion to facilitate repair thereto in the same manner as' pointed out inconnection with the pulley or sprocket housing 218 in Figures 17 and 18.

An electric motor or the like as at 3! is provided for driving therotary pump 232 and said motor may be mounted on the floor of the pit238 in side by side relationship with the pump 232 so that the shaftthereof may be conveniently and drivingly connected to the motor.

If desired, the conveyor conduits or troughs 258 and 25l, 252 and 253may be inclined so as to induce the flow of coolant liquid to thecoolant tank 238 by gravity. In the event that rectangular troughs areemployed instead of circular or tubular conduits, the conveyor flights285 may be formed of a suitable shape and size to conform to the crosssectional shape of said troughs so as to engage the walls thereof andfacilitate the removal of sludge or other foreign matter collecting insaid conveyor trough or conduit. In the present structure, as shown inFigures 15 to 19 inclusive, wherein the conveyor conduits or passageways258, 25L 282 and 253 are level. a certain portion of the coolant liquidwill drain back to the coolant tank 235 to seek a lower level thereindue to the presence of liquid head pressure in the stand pipes 255 andthe fact that the conveyor flights are of a smaller diameter than thediameter of the conveyor conduits or passageways 258, 251 and 252, 253.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 20, there is showna pair of coolant tanks 305 which are coupled together and arranged sothat the sludge removal conveyor is common to both. Obviously, two ormore coolant tanks may be arranged in series as shown in Figure 20 withthe coolant tanks having their ad- Jacent ends connected by a shortlength of conveyor tubing or conduit 388 with the discharge conduit 331secured to one end of one of the coolant tanks and the intake conduit303 secured to the opposite end of theadjacent tank. This structurenecessitates the use of a relatively long conveyor conduit section 303so that the endless conveyor sac and the flights thereon may pass over asprocket wheel 3!! located adjacent the flared ends 3 l 2 and 3 i 3 ofthe respective conveyor conduits 3M and 309. The conveyor 3!!! is of theendless chain type in the form ofthe invention shown in Figures 1 to 5,13 and 14, and-the conveyor flights are likewise of the sameconstruction. when employing a series of coolant tanks as at 305, theintake hopper of each tank as at 3 may be placed beneath the dischargetube or conduit of the machine tool so as to collect the coolant liquidas the same is discharged therefrom. If desired, the conveyor conduits30$, 30'! and 308 may be provided at their ends with suitable threadedcoupling members for detachable connection with the respective end wallsof the coolant tank 305 to permit a number of coolant tanks to beassembled to accommodate the various a conditions of use and inparticular. in such.

cases where there are a large number of machine toolsto be supplied witha coolant liquid circulating system.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 21, the coolanttank, generally indicated byithe reference character 3 I 5 is composedof side walls 3l6 having end walls 3 l and a bottom wall 3 I; havingconverging or slo'ping sections to form a trough for an endless conveyor3!9 similar to' the endless conveyor described in the form of theinvention shown in Figures 1 to 5, 13 and 14. A fluid circulating pumpis provided for the coolant tank shown in Figure 21, and said pump hasits intake connected to pipes 320 and 32! in substantially the samefashion as the pipes 56 and 39 shown in the form of the invention inFigures 1 to 5, 13 and 14. The discharge side of the rotary pump isconnected to a pipe line 322 and said pipe line is connected to the pipe32 through the medium of a control valve 323, and to a discharge nipple324 by means of a control valve 325. In addition, a rubber cleaning hose32B is coupled to the discharge pipe 322 so that upon closing of thevalves 323 and 325 and the opening of the valve 321, fiuid underpressure may be forced through the flexible hose 323 for the purpose ofwashing the external surface of the filtering element mounted in thetank.

interposed in the pipe 32! is a union or coupling 323 to which issecured a short length of pipe 329 having a swivel coupling on the endthereof as at 330. The swivel coupling is provided with a short lengthof pipe 33! which is connected to the header 332 of a rotary filteringelement 333 which is formed with a zigzag peripheral surface in much thesame manner as the filtering elements shown in Figures 6 to 10inclusive. That is to-say, the reticulated screening 334 has its endsimbedded in the header 332 and a similar header 335 with a centralsupporting pipe extending therebetween to hold the reticulated screeningor fabric 334 in its pre-shaped position.

During operation of the coolant tank shown in Figure 21, the fluid ispumped from the tank through the filtering element and thence throughthe short pipe 329 to the intake of the pump through the pipe 32! whenit is discharged through the pipe 322 to the machine tool by way of thedischarge nipple 324. The free end of the filter is supported by meansof a projection 336 formed on the end header 335 which is adapted torest upon a supporting shelf or leg 33! carried aacaeie by thesupporting bar 338 connecting the side walls 383 of the coolant tank3l5.

The conveyor or sludge collector 3!!! is driven by an electric motorwhich is drivingly connected to a sprocket wheel 339 in the same manneras pointed out in connection with Figures 1 to 5, 13 and 14, and saidcoolant tank is provided with a baifle wall 34!] adjacent one end toform and provide an inlet chamber into which the coolant liquid isdischarged from the machine tool. element 333 periodically, a series ofhandles 34! is provided on the header 332 so that the entire filteringelement may be rotated on a swivel 330 by simply rotating the header 332a slight angular distance to position new filtering surfaces to thecoolant liquid being filtered and recirculated. In addition, thefiltering element 33 maybe swung vertically on the union 328 as a pivotpoint in the same manner as pointed out in connection with the form ofthe invention shown in Figures 6 to 8 inclusive.

It is to be noted that the collection tank and conveyor systems abovedisclosed and described can be used advantageously for handling drymaterial of a pulverant nature such as lamp black, fly ash, sugar,starches and siliceous material. Y

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shownand described are to betaken as preferred embodiments of the same, andthat various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement ofparts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a liquid separation and purification system, a plurality of.liquid collection and deposit tanks arranged side by side, sedimenttroughs formed in said tanks, a conveyor conduit conmeeting the adjacentends of said tanks and arranged in alignment with said sediment troughs,conveyor conduits connected to the remote ends of said tanks and withtheir outer ends extending to a common location outside said tanks, anendless flight conveyor arranged in said conveyor conduits to traversethe sediment trough of said tanks, and a conveyor driving wheel mountedat said common location and drivingly engaging said flight conveyor.

2. In a liquid separation and purification system, a plurality of liquidcollection and deposit tanks arranged side by side, sediment troughsformed in said tanks, a conveyor conduit connecting the adjacent ends ofsaid tanks and arranged in alignment with said sediment troughs,conveyor conduits connected to the remote ends of said tanks and withtheir outer ends extending to a common location outside said tanks, anendless flight conveyor arranged in said conveyor conduits to traversethe sediment trough of said tanks, and a conveyor driving wheel mountedat said common location and drivingly engaging said flight conveyor,said wheel being located adjacent the discharge location of saidconveyor conduits.

3. In a liquid separation and purification system, a plurality of liquidcollection and deposittanks arranged side by side, sediment troughsformed in said tanks, a conveyor conduit connecting the adjacent ends ofsaid tanks and arranged in alignment with one of said sediment troughs,an endless flight conveyor arranged in both of said tanks and conveyorconduit to traverse the sediment trough of at least one of said In orderto manually rotate the filtering tanks, and a conveyor driving wheeldrivingly engaging said flight conveyor to move said flight conveyorthrough both of said tanks.

HENRY W. HAPMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 217,442 Belcher July 15, 1879373,257 Waespi et a1. Nov. 15, 1887 385,666 Hadley July 3, 18881,404,873 McGee Jan. 31, 1922 1,422,514 Arbuckle July 11, 1922 1,530,077Haynes Mar. 17, 1925 1,624,385 Bergen Apr. 12, 1927 1,716,228 Home June4, 1929 1,754,667 Cabrera Apr. 15, 1930 1,762,593 Schwarz June 10, 1930Number Number 20 Name Date Piper -1--- Aug. 9, 1932 Hahn May 25, 1937Davis Mar. 8, 1938 Hapman Oct. 31, 1939 Devenish Aug. 6, 1940 MonroeOct. 1, 1940 Soderquist Nov. 12, 1940 Hapman Mar. 25, 1941 Vokes Apr.14, 1942 Paterson May 2, 1944 Hapman Sept. 12, 1944 Hapman Dec. 16, 1947FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1911 Great Britain Aug. 25,1927 Great Britain Oct. 27, 1938' France July 9, 1921

